Avian Flu
Front page of yesterday's Metro daily was an alarming headline: Prepare for bird flu: experts. At a police services board conference this past weekend, the Toronto Police presented their preparation plans for the avian flu pandemic hitting Toronto. The Toronto Police predicts that many will die in the first 24-48 hours after the pandemic goes into full swing -- with the end result of 7,000 - 20,000 dying in Ontario. About 2.3 million people will need medical attention, and 18,000 to 65,000 will need to be hospitalized. The Toronto Police outlined plans to guard hospitals from the chaos that will hit the streets when people start seeking hospital attention in droves. They also suggest that people plan on being self-sufficient for at least 72-hours -- ie. stay indoors.
Whether the avian flu will actually reach Toronto in such numbers is another story. Disasters do occur however, regardless of how much we may wish them not to happen. Down playing the risk is itself risky -- just look at what happened in New Orleans. Planning for a pandemic like the avian flu doesn't take much. Stock up on some food and non-perishables that are ready to eat -- assume that you may have to go without electricity and running water for days. Think of how we got along just fine without electricity a few years ago -- and remember, there are many in the world who do just fine without it. Make sure you have some medical and emergency supplies -- off the counter medical supplies and at least a week's worth of any prescriptions, and the essentials for around the home. All this should cost under $100. For those who work and telecommuting is an option, make sure your gear works so that you can work from home if necessary. There may be no need to panic, but if uncertainty hits, you may just want to take the boss up on the option to work from home. There, you're as prepared as you're going to be.
If a disaster does strike, the last thing you should remember is, Don't Panic! There will be enough of that going around. Everything will not be under full control of anybody, and we will probably all have to rely on each other to weather the storm. Easier said than done, I know.
Related reading:
Update: May 10, 2006.
Whether the avian flu will actually reach Toronto in such numbers is another story. Disasters do occur however, regardless of how much we may wish them not to happen. Down playing the risk is itself risky -- just look at what happened in New Orleans. Planning for a pandemic like the avian flu doesn't take much. Stock up on some food and non-perishables that are ready to eat -- assume that you may have to go without electricity and running water for days. Think of how we got along just fine without electricity a few years ago -- and remember, there are many in the world who do just fine without it. Make sure you have some medical and emergency supplies -- off the counter medical supplies and at least a week's worth of any prescriptions, and the essentials for around the home. All this should cost under $100. For those who work and telecommuting is an option, make sure your gear works so that you can work from home if necessary. There may be no need to panic, but if uncertainty hits, you may just want to take the boss up on the option to work from home. There, you're as prepared as you're going to be.
If a disaster does strike, the last thing you should remember is, Don't Panic! There will be enough of that going around. Everything will not be under full control of anybody, and we will probably all have to rely on each other to weather the storm. Easier said than done, I know.
Related reading:
- Toronto Pandemic Influenza Plan [PDF] -- published by the Toronto Public Health office, it represents the City's plan to deal with an influenza pandemic.
- Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families [PDF] -- a checklist from the US Department of Health & Human Services.
- Pandemic flu: important information for you and your family [PDF] -- an information pamphlet produced by the UK Department of Health.
- WHO checklist for influenza pandemic preparedness planning [PDF] -- World Health Organization planning information for member countries.
- Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan [PDF] -- Canada's plan to deal with a pandemic.
- The Global Economic and Financial Impact of an Avian Flu Pandemic [PDF] -- a publication from IMF.
Update: May 10, 2006.
- The Mutant Chickens Are Coming! -- Slate's take on the latest made-for-TV disaster movie from ABC, that paints a bleak future with the avian flu.
- A video produced by the New Zealand health department on healthy practices in an influenza pandemic setting can be foudn here. It's all common sense ... I think.
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